Rangers vs Aberdeen

As Rangers prepare to host Aberdeen at Ibrox Stadium this Sunday afternoon in the Scottish Premiership, the Gers will be desperate to snap a frustrating six-game winless streak. While Philippe Clement’s former side have already secured second place in the league, their recent struggles have cast a shadow over what has been a largely disappointing campaign. On the other hand, Aberdeen arrive with everything to play for, locked in a tense battle to secure European football for next season.

For Rangers, this season has been one of unfulfilled promise. Despite their eventual second-place finish, their early struggles set the tone for a turbulent year. Under Clement’s leadership, the Gers managed just 22 points from their first 12 league matches—their worst start to a top-flight campaign since returning to the Premiership in 2016-17. This left them a staggering 12 points behind arch-rivals Celtic, a deficit they were never able to close. While performances improved in the latter stages of the regular season—with 13 wins, four draws, and four losses in their next 21 games—inconsistency ultimately cost Clement his job.

Barry Ferguson, the former Rangers midfielder, was swiftly appointed as interim manager until the end of the season, and he has been keen to prove his worth for the permanent role. His tenure began promisingly, with four wins in his first six matches, including an impressive run to the Europa League quarter-finals. However, Rangers’ form has since nosedived, with six consecutive matches without a victory—two losses and four draws—including their elimination from Europe by Athletic Bilbao and a pair of underwhelming draws to start the post-split fixtures.

Perhaps most concerning for Ferguson is his poor record at Ibrox. In five home games under his stewardship, Rangers have suffered three defeats and two draws—a statistic he will be desperate to rectify against Aberdeen. While Sunday’s match, along with their remaining two fixtures, will have no bearing on their league position, a strong finish could bolster Ferguson’s chances of securing the managerial role on a permanent basis.

Aberdeen, meanwhile, enter this clash with far greater urgency. The Dons are locked in a fierce battle for European qualification, and every point between now and the end of the season could prove decisive. Their campaign has been a tale of two halves—a blistering start followed by a dramatic collapse, before a late resurgence kept their continental dreams alive.

Under new manager Jimmy Thelin, Aberdeen enjoyed a sensational unbeaten run in his first 16 matches in charge, racking up 15 wins and a single draw. However, their form took a disastrous turn as they managed just two victories in their next 17 games, including a dismal 14-match winless streak in the league. Fortunately, Thelin managed to steady the ship just in time, guiding his team to four wins, three draws, and only one loss in their last eight league matches—ensuring a top-six finish and keeping their European hopes alive.

Their recent momentum has been further boosted by a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Hearts in the Scottish FA Cup semi-final, setting up a final showdown with Celtic at Hampden Park later this month. They also began their post-split fixtures with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Hibernian, though a subsequent 1-0 defeat to St Mirren has left them fourth in the table—three points behind Hibernian in the Europa League qualification spot but only three ahead of Dundee United.

With a daunting run-in that includes clashes against Rangers, Celtic, and a potential winner-takes-all showdown with Dundee United on the final day, Aberdeen’s European fate remains in the balance. To keep their ambitions on track, they must defy history at Ibrox, where they have won just once in their last 14 meetings—a record of one victory, two draws, and 11 defeats.

Sunday’s encounter promises to be a fascinating battle between a Rangers side seeking redemption and an Aberdeen team fighting for a place on the European stage. For Ferguson, it’s a chance to prove his managerial credentials; for Thelin, it’s an opportunity to cap a rollercoaster season with continental football. With pride, momentum, and European qualification at stake, neither side will be lacking motivation when they take to the pitch at Ibrox.